Saturday, October 27, 2012

When the disciples of Jesus could not drive demons out they asked Jesus in private why this was so. If you recall, Our Lord told them that some demons can only be cast out by prayer and fasting (MK 9:29). With so many attacks against the Church and against life itself, our temporal actions cannot equal the power of our spiritual actions. This doesn't mean we should not be engaged in the public square; rather, it must be coupled with prayer and fasting. This also requires an act of faith (Mt 17:20).

Assumption Grotto in Detroit is holding it's second, ElectionEve All-Night Adoration for the presidential election. We had a great turn-out in 2008 and we anticipate many will be looking for a place to pray in the hours leading up to the 2012 election.

This is a great opportunity for families to make the spiritual battle a part of the civic duty - to show young people that even voting should spring forth from prayer and that things like life and liberty come before convenience. And, some voting choices may require sacrifice when we have to let go of some good things a candidate offers because he or she is advancing non-negotiable things, like abortion. So, set an example to your kids and make this a family outing.

This is not just a time to offer a prayer of petition. It is a time to also make a prayer of reparation. Morality in our country has taken a real left turn as can be seen when we turn on the TV or read the news. It has turned highly militant with attempts to force Church-run institutions and Catholic and Christian business owners into participating in evil. We need to make amends for our own sinfulness, but we can also make reparation for the sins of our culture.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his body, which is the church... (Col 1:24)

If we are to imitate Christ, then we must suffer with Him. Spending time in Adoration is one way to offer this. Jesus suffered and died on the Cross, not for His sins - because He was without sin - but for ours. We sit before Our Eucharistic Lord and express our sorrow for the many sins committed - ours, and those of others. It is good to make an act of reparation for our own sins. This serves us. It is much better when we join that with making reparation for the sins of others and asking God to convert their hearts and to shower them with graces. In this way, our petitions will have much greater efficacy. Perhaps some voters will be showered with graces they cannot resist.

Don't forget about small sacrifices.

Pray, fast, give alms. Treat these remaining days like Lent. Offer up your daily work. Go to Confession because these prayers and sacrifices must be presented cleanly.

WHAT IS YOUR PARISH DOING FOR THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE?

I'd like to see a list of events happening around the U.S. in THE com-box.

To my priest-readers, consider how you can encourage your people to participate in spiritual activism.

If your parish isn't having anything, get a group of people together to approach the pastor and ask for Monday night Adoration, even if it is only for one hour. Perhaps some parishes can hold Adoration during voting hours on Tuesday.

UPDATE:

Thanks to New Advent for directing traffic here. I hope others will also get the word out, and share what is happening here, in the com-box.

For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron

St. John of the Cross

Dark Night of the Soul (2.2:3)...

"...the devil causes many to believe in vain visionsand false prophecies; and strives to make them presumethat God and the saints are speaking with them; and they often trust their own fancy. And the devil is also accustomed, in this state, to fill them with presumption and pride, so that they become attracted by vanity and arrogance, and allow themselves to be seen engaging in outward acts which appear holy, such as raptures and other manifestations. Thus they become bold with God, and lose holy fear, which is the key and the custodian of all the virtues; and in some of these souls so many are the falsehoods and deceits which tend to multiply, and so inveterate do they grow, that it is very doubtful if such souls will return to the pure road of virtue and true spirituality."